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| Photograph by Zweli Ndhlovu |
This
Easter, I would rather spend my time watching the gifted give me hope or give
me a reminder as to why talent should never be messed with or taken lightly. I
want to see the “I could’ve been a star if it wasn’t for 1, 2, 3...” doing
things that would make you actually believe them on the field. I would rather
see the players that have made it come back to Ekasi and playing the type of
football the professional leagues would look down upon.
I want
to watch God-given talent, the type that makes you say that this cannot be
learned in the academies or in textbooks. The types of talent that make you think
that this guy was born with the ball in his feet.
I want
to feel at home sitting next to the field, with a combination of anonymity
amidst the crowd and knowing that when it comes to the game we love, we all
speak the same language.
Instead
of listening to someone talk for an hour and a half, trying to make a joke here
while I do my best not to fall asleep or seem distracted, I want to watch 22
players or less (depending on red cards) that will leave me with a smile, in awe,
shocked, angry or in stitches.
It
feels as though the only thing I understand nowadays is whatever happens in
those ninety minutes between the 22 players (or less) and the ball that is
placed in the middle, I have lost the feeling of home in church and can only
find it amongst the people who came to watch the magic that is in the beautiful
game. Those 90 minutes remind me of the beauty that is created by God.
So
whether you find solace in the church or on the field or in both, may this
Easter period give you what you are hoping for. Have a blessed one and stay safe.
